In a federal system of government, the power shared between the Centre and state governments is known as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term used for powers that are shared between the central (federal) government and the state governments in a federal system.

Step 2: Explain the concept In a federal system, powers are divided among levels of government:

• Exclusive powers: Powers that belong only to the central government (e.g. defence, foreign affairs, currency, immigration). In Nigeria, these are on the Exclusive Legislative List.
• Residual powers: Powers left to the states (or regions) that are not given to the centre.
• Concurrent powers: Powers that both the federal and state governments can exercise at the same time (e.g. education, health, agriculture, taxation, and the power to make laws on some matters). In Nigeria, these are on the Concurrent Legislative List.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Legislative power: This is the power to make laws, and it is one of the three arms of government. It is not specifically the power shared between the levels of government.
• B. Exclusive power: This is held by the centre alone, so it is not shared.
• C. Concurrent power: This is shared by the centre and the states. ✔
• D. Judicial power: This is the power to interpret laws and administer justice, so it is not the answer.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is C. Concurrent power.

Exam tip: Think of "con-" as in "concur" or "come together." Concurrent means running together, so both levels of government act on the same matter. Exclusive means "excluding others," so only the centre has it.